Signature identification instrument



Nov. 25, 1969 s. R. DANNA 3,480,911

SIGNATURE IDENTIFICATION INSTRUMENT Filed Oct. 20, 1965 2 sheets-sheet 2mPurr PRESSURE PRESSURE. SE N S (T! V E;

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(Pu 1. A Tl N a COUNT'LTQ wU$TE INVENTOR.

EIIBAYLVATUREJ R. HANNA AT T0 NE Y5.

United States Patent US. Cl. 340-146.3 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A signature identification instrument in which the pressureexerted by a persons handwriting produces signals which are a functionof the number of times pre determined writing pressure is applied andthe duration of the application of each writing pressure.

This invention relates to identification systems and more particularlyto systems for identifying writings, such as handwritten signatures.

Banks, stores, and similar organizations, which deal in commercial papersuch as checks, require means for immediately determining that anindividual signing his name in the presence of one of their employees isactually the person having an account. Further, many industrial andmilitary facilities require that an individual be cleared for securitypurposes before being permitted to enter the premises. Today, in cashingchecks of individuals, banks still rely primarily on a visual inspectionof an individuals signature. As for organizations which require securityclearances, they rely primarily upon the use of an identification badgewith a photo insert, which is shown to a guard prior to entering thepremises. In both of these cases, forgery and misrepresentation arestill possible.

Accordingly, a new and improved system for identifying an individualssignature was required, Not only must this system be capable ofsupplanting or complementing visual inspections, but it must also becapable of functioning such that an identification of the individual iscompleted soon after the individual has written his signature.

In view of the foregoing considerations, the present invention providesfor means for determining that an individual signing his name isactually the person he purports to be.

Furthermore, this system provides a means for easily detecting a forger,as well as someone misrepresenting himself as another.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved writing identification system.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedwriting identification device wherein the output signal from the deviceis related to certain characteristics of the individual to beidentified.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedsignature identification device wherein the output signal is related toboth the number of times an individual contacts a surface in writing hissignature as well as the amount of time it actually takes one to writehis signature every time he contacts the surface.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

In accordance with this invention, an identification device is providedwhich includes means for detecting that a force greater than apredetermined force is being ap-' plied by an individual during the timehe writes his signature and second means responsive to said first meansfor providing an output signal indicative of both time and breakcharacteristics of an individual while writing his signature. In apreferred embodmient of this invention, the handwrtten signature isidentified by providing a surface means for writing thereon, a firstmeans responsive to writing on the surface for providing a first signalindicating that a force greater than a predetermined amount of force isbeing applied to said surface during the writing, and the second meansresponsive to said first means providing an output signal related toboth the number of times the person writes on the surface with asuflicient force and the time intervals the sufiicient force is appliedwhile the person Writes.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing thefeatures, properties and relation of elements Which will be exemplifiedin the apparatus hereinafter described and the scope of the inventionwill be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the ac companying drawings, in which the same referencenumerals designate like or corresponding parts in the several views and,in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the identification deviceaccording to the preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram partially in block form, of anelectrical circuit suitable for use as the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device embodying this invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view with the cover of the device removed, showingthe working parts and the writing surface according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of FIG. 4, with certain parts omitted;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the card which may be substituted for a paperroll, according to this invention; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, there is disclosed a pressure sensitivetransducer 10 which provides an output signal indicating that a force orpressure of a certain amount has been applied. In accordance with thepreferred embodiment of this invention, the force is detected byutilizing a surface 11 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) over which there flows paper12 from a plurality of rolls 13 and 14 driven by a motor 15. The plate11 is connected to side members 16a and 16b which are pivotallysupported from members 17 and 18 and is balanced by the use of plates 19and 20. Extending from the plate or writing surface 11 is a member 21which abuts contacts 23 and 24 mounted in a supporting block 25'. Thetransducer, including the surface 11, is positioned within a devicecasing 30 as shown in FIG. 3, so that :an individual may write his namein a cut-out portion 31. The individual writes his name with any usualtype of Writing implement, such as a ball point pen, in the spaceprovided in the top cover of the device. Upon initiation of the writingof the individuals signature, plate 11 will be depressed to closecontacts 23 and 24 when a suflicient force is applied. Although in thepreferred embodiment the use of contacts are shown because of theirsimplicity, it is to be understood that strain transducers, straingages, strain-sensitive diodes and transistors and more sophisticatedsemi-conductor devices may be utilized in place of the contacts 23 and24, as long as a signal is provided which indicates that an individualis supplying sufficient force during the writing of his name on thesurface 11. The transducer 10 is coupled to a pair of selectors, shownat 40 and 41, which are in turn coupled to a pluraility of pulsecounters 44-47 in a predetermined manner, as

.shown in FIG. 1. The manner in which the counters are coupled to theselectors as shown in the preferred embodiment are only illustrative andare not to be considered limiting, inasmuch as many combinations ofconnections are possible to produce the desired results. At the sametime, an input pulsating signal is applied to each of the selectors froma pulsating signal source 48. In operation, the application of a forceof a magnitude sufficient to close contacts 23 and 24 will permit asignal to be provided to the selectors and 41 such that they will directthe input pulsating signal to each of the counters 44-47 in apredetermined sequence. Thus, the writing of an individuals signature bythe use of the pen 32 on the paper 12 which is positionable on the topof the surface 11, will provide a count which is a function of both thenumber of times a person writes on the surface with a sufiicient forceand the time intervals the sufficient force is applied while the personwrites. This output count is provided as shown in the presentation 49 inFIG. 3.

The theory underlying this invention is that when an individual writeshis name he does not, ordinarily, write it in one complete movement but,rather, writes certain letters and then breaks before writing the nextfew letters of his name, by lifting the pen from the paper. Depending onthe length and the type of letters in his signature, a particularpattern will develop, much the same as the pattern of ones fingerprint.This pattern is then detectable by counting the number of times theindividual uses more than a predetermined force in writing his signatureas well as determining the time intervals that the individual isapplying the force while writing his signature.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic diagram partially inblock form of a circuit for implementing the block diagram of FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 2, the selectors 40 and 41 comprise stepping switches,shown at 50 and 60. Each of these switches have a plurality of contactsshown as dots and a wiper arm 51 and 61, respectively. The wiper armsare stepped about the contacts by signals applied to stepping coils 52and 62 respectively. To reset the selectors to the initial posir tion, apair of reset coils 53 and 63 respectively controlled by a manual resetswitch 70 are provided. Since the counters 44-47 of the FIG. 2embodiment are preferably of the DC pulse-counting type, a rectifyingcircuit comprising a diode 72 and a capacitor 73 are provided forrectifying the input signal prior to applying it to the counters 44-47.To reset the counters 44-47 prior to an individual signing his name, areset switch 75 is provided which may be ganged with switch 70, ifdesired.

In the preferred implementation shown in FIG. 2, instead of using aninput signal source such as 48 which is a part of the apparatus itself,the cycle 110 v. AC signal from any ordinary power outlet is utilized.In this manner, the costs of the device are held to a competitive levelalthough it is to be understood that, depending on the type of countersand transducer utilized, substantially any frequency pulsating signalmay be used, whether it is AC, DC or any particular type of irregularwave shape.

Considering now the operation of the system described in FIG. 2, anindividual will be asked to write his name in the slot portion 31 of thedevice 30 shown in FIG. 3. The individual may use an ordinary writingimplement, such as a ball point pen, to write his name. When theindividual begins to write his name, the plate 11 will be depressed suchthat contact 23 will close on contact 24, thereby permitting a 60 cyclesignal to be provided to the half wave rectifier circuit comprisingdiode 72 and capacitor 73. Simultaneously, the 60 cycle signal will beapplied to the stepping coils 52 and 62 respectively, to begin steppingthe wiper arms 51 and 61 respectively, to select the particular countersin a predetermined sequence. While the stepping of the switch takesplace, the cycles or pulse of the rectified signal will be counted ineach of the counters as they are selected. When the individual breaks inwriting a signature, such as by lifting the pen from the paper, to openthe contacts 23 and 24, the

selector switches 50 and 60 will cease stepping and the counters willcease counting. As the individual once again applies pressure to theplate 11 to again close the contacts 23 and 24, the stepping of switches50 and 60 will again take place and counters 44-47 as selected willagain count the pulses during the time the individuals hand is writingon the paper 12.

As may be noted from the diagram of FIG. 1, the counter 46 is coupled toboth of the selector switches 50 and 60 so as to provide thepredetermined sequence of operation which depends on the action of boththe selector switches. Since there are an infinite number ofcombinations of interconnections between a plurality of selectorswitches or between a selector switch and a plurality of counters, asthe case may be, the example shown in FIG. 2 is meant to be illustrativeonly and not limiting. Thus, the device of FIG. 2 will not only beresponsive to the making and breaking of the contacts by the individualwriting his name on the surface 11, but will also provide an outputsignal which is a function of the time that the contacts 23 and 24 areelectrically connected. In this manner the characteristics of anindividuals signature may be interpreted in numerical form and provide adefinite pattern or representation which is extremely difficult for aforger to attempt to copy. Although a forger might, with practice, beable to prepare a signature which is visually acceptable, a forger willnot be able to copy the making and breaking routine and the timeintervals between makes and breaks of an individual while writing hisname. This is a function of the nervous system of the individual writinghis name and is most difficult to be copied and observed.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is disclosed a card which may be utilizedin substitution for the paper rolls 13 and 14 and the paper 12. Thepaper card may be placed on top of the surface 11 and held by retainingpins fitting the holes in the card. It is to be noted that constraininglines, shown at and 81, are preferable in utilizing the invention sincethis provides means for preventing a person from writing his signaturein an abnormally distorted manner, which often occurs when an individualsigns his name on a blank sheet of paper. It has been determined thatmore accurate results are obtained when such constraining lines areutilized. These cards, upon completion of use, may then be filed forstorage purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternate embodiment forimplementing the block diagram of FIG. 1. In this figure a singleselector is utilized. The single selector is preferably a ring-typecounter which provides output gating signals in a predetermined sequenceas a result of the counting of input pulses. To implement the circuit asshown in FIG. 7, a plurality of AND devices are shown at 86-90. Inoperation, the application of input pressure on the pressure sensitivetransducer 10 by the individual writing his name, will produce a signalat the AND circuit 86 such that an input pulsating signal will be gatedto the selector ring counter 85. The input pulsating signal willsimultaneously be applied to each of the AND circuits 8790,respectively, through the AND circuit 86. As the selector ring countercounts each of the pulses, gating pulses will be applied from the ringcounter 85 to each of the AND circuits 8790, thereby gating the inputpulsating signal to each of the counters 44-47 in a predeterminedsequence. Thus, again, an indication of both the number of times anindividual contacts a surface while writing his name, as well as theduration he contacts the surface while writing his name, will bedetermined.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efirciently attained andsince certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which as amatter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:

1. A writing identification device comprising in combination, a surfaceto .permit an individual to write thereon, pressure responsive meanscoupled to said surface for detecting that an individual is writing onsaid surface and applying a force normal thereto, and means responsiveto said pressure responsive means for providing an output signal when aforce greater than a predetermined amount is applied to said surface andmeans responsive to said output signal for indicating the number oftimes and the duration of each time an individual applies a forcegreater than a predetermined amount of force while writing on saidsurface.

2. A writing identification device comprising in combination, a surfaceto permit an individual to write thereon, pressure transducer meanscoupled to said surface for detecting that an individual is applying aforce to said surface normal thereto and greater than a predeterminedforce, and means responsive to said pressure transducer means forproviding an output signal indicative of both the number of times anindividual writes on the surface with a force greater than apredetermined force and the time interval the force is applied each timethe individual applies a force greater than said predetermined force tosaid surface.

3. A writing identification device comprising in combination, a surfacemeans for writing thereon, first means responsive to Writing on thesurface for providing a first signal indicating that a force greaterthan a predetermined amotmt of force is being applied to said surfacenormal to said surface during writing thereon, a plurality of counters,means providing a pulsating signal and selector means responsive to saidfirst signal for directing the pulsating signal to said counters in apredetermined sequence so long as said first means detects a force onsaid surface greater than a predetermined force, said selector meansapplying said pulsating signal to said counters in said predeterminedsequence each time said first signal is provided.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said first meansincludes electrical contacts coupled to said surface, and means formoving at least one of the contacts in response to writing taking placeon said surface.

5. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said selector meansincludes at least two stepping switches having a plurality of contactsand wiper arms arranged to sequentially close a circuit with one of saidcontacts,

said wiper arms being actuated in response to the initiation of writingtaking place on said surface means, and wherein each of said steppingswitches has at least one contact which is coupled to the same one ofsaid plurality of counters.

6. A signature identification device comprising in combination, terminalmeans for receiving a pulsating signal, a writing surface for permittingan individual to write his signature thereon, a gating device, aplurality of signal counting means, and transducer means responsive topressure on said surface normal to said surface due to writing takingplace thereon for permitting the pulsating signal to actuate the gatingdevice said gating device being constructed and arranged to direct thepulsating signal to the counting means in a predetermined sequence, eachof said counting means being effective to determine the number of cyclesof the pulsating signals gated thereto when said pressure transducerdetects writing pressure on said surface.

7. A signature identification device in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid writing surface includes a plate movable in response to a forceapplied to it while an individual is writing thereon, means fordetecting predetermined movement of the plate, and paper adapted to bepositioned such that it overlies said plate.

8. A signature identification device in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid gating device includes a plurality of stepping switches, each ofsaid stepping switches including a plurality of contacts and a movablecontact arm, selected ones of said contacts coupled to at least some ofsaid counting means.

9, A signature identification device in accordance with claim 6, whereinsaid gating device includes counting means for receiving said pulsatingsignal and providing timed gating signals for selectively directing thepulsating signal to said counters.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,301,197 11/1942 Bradford 235923,112,362 11/1963 Pecker 17818 3,145,367 8/1964 Crane 340146.3 3,262,0547/ 1966 Lefkowitz 324-68 3,275,808 9/1966 Knudson 23592 3,284,79011/1966 Nobles 23592 3,199,078 8/1965 Gaffney et al 340146.3

MAYNARD R. WILBUR, Primary Examiner R. F. GNUSE, Assistant Examiner US.Cl. X.R. 178-18;235-92; 340-149

